News Broadcasting
UK pubcasters spending less on children’s, religious programming
MUMBAI: From 1998 – 2003, the five main terrestrial channels in the UK reduced their spend on arts, children’s, religion and educational programmes.
This data is contained in a report published by UK’s telecommunications regulatory body Ofcom. The report has put out the findings of the first phase of its review of the country’s public service television broadcasting.
The review has been structured in three phases and will be completed in December this year.
The report has examined the effectiveness of the main terrestrial channels in the UK – BBC One, BBC Two, ITV1 Channel 4 and Five.
The study also found that expenditure on programming across the five main terrestrial television channels excluding films and sport increased by eight per cent. The spending on news and drama rose by 13 per cent and 16 per cent respectively.
There has also been a narrowing of range within genres like drama and factual programming. Specialist programmes on topics such as arts and current affairs were pushed to the edges of peak viewing hours. While innovative approaches to programme formats were developed, the number of new titles launched each year fell during this five year period.
Television viewers in the UK feel that there is a lack of innovation and originality on the above mentioned channels, says the study. They are in favour of competition between the main terrestrial channels for improving the content quality.
In this scenario, it is not surprising to find that these channels have seen their channel share erode over the years. The audiences for more challenging types of programming fell sharply in the multichannel homes.
The channels’ audience share declined from 87 per cent to 76 per cent of total viewing. In multichannel homes their audience share started lower and declined from 63 per cent to 57 per cent during the past five years
Ofcom senior partner Ed Richards who is leading the review was quoted in a company release saying, “Viewers have made it clear that public service broadcasting matters. But there are also real issues to overcome, both today and in the future.
” Public service broadcasting will only be sustainable if it produces challenging and popular programming. This has to reach a significant audience in the digital age.”
Ofcom has made a few suggestions. They include:
1. Achieving digital switchover should be of high priority. This should be given preference over more marginal public service broadcasting obligations.
2. As far as the BBC is concerned, Ofcom said that it needed to reaffirm its position as the standard setter for delivering the highest quality public service broadcasting.
3. The central components of public service broadcasting on ITV1 and Five should be news, regional news and original production.
4. The channels should also examine the different means of sharing existing funding. This will include allowing broadcasters to bid for public service broadcasting funding.
News Broadcasting
News18 hosts Tamil Nadu town hall ahead of 2026 polls
MK Stalin headlines ‘Next Big Leap’ event from 10am on 23 February in Chennai with leaders and icons.
MUMBAI: Tamil Nadu’s political pot is simmering and News18’s town hall is stirring it up just in time for the 2026 assembly elections boilover. Set for 23 February from 10am onwards in Chennai, the News18 Network Town Hall gathers heavyweights under the banner ‘The Next Big Leap for Tamil Nadu’ to dissect the state’s political pulse, economic edge, and cultural clout. With the 234-seat assembly contest looming as a fiercely competitive showdown, the event spotlights how Tamil Nadu’s identity-driven politics and engaged voters continue to ripple across national debates.
Chief minister MK Stalin leads the charge with a keynote on the theme, sketching his government’s blueprint for governance, development, and staying power pre-polls. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin chimes in on ‘Voices, Vision & Way Forward’, unpacking generational shifts and fresh narratives. From the opposition corner, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami tackles ‘Baton Change at the Ballot?’, floating alternatives to the status quo.
Economic vibes get a nudge from industries minister TRB Rajaa on ‘Investment Story Intact?’, probing the state’s draw for big bucks. BJP’s K Annamalai dives into ‘People, Trust & Political Ideology’, positioning his party in the Dravidian-dominated turf. IT Minister Palanivel ThiagaRajan explores ‘Code, Capacity & Citizenship’, on tech’s role in citizen-focused services. TVK’s KG Arunraj questions if ‘Winds of Change are Possible’ in this pattern-prone state.
A panel on innovation features IIT Madras director Prof V Kamakoti, M&M’s Velusamy R, and Electronic Industries Association’s Dr Sasikumar Gendham, musing how AI and knowledge hubs are remaking opportunities. AICC’s Praveen Chakravarty weighs ‘Power Sharing vs Principles’, while former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan joins the fray. Culture gets its due with composer Anirudh Ravichander on ‘Tamil Music for the World’.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar noted, “The News18 Network Tamil Nadu Town Hall… reflects our core editorial focus, to capture the political mood of the state and spotlight the ideas that will shape the next phase of governance and growth.”
Network18, CEO of English & business news Smriti Mehra added, “As Tamil Nadu moves closer to a defining electoral moment… we see it as our responsibility to drive informed and meaningful conversations.”
Network18 managing editor for South, Vivek Narayan said, “The News18 Network Townhall in Tamil Nadu is designed as a platform where policy, politics and public interest intersect.”
Backed by associate partners Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles and Reliance Industries, the live event streams on CNN-News18, News18 Tamil, CTV, and Youtube from 10am on 23 February perfect for catching the sparks, even if you’re not knee-deep in Dravidian drama.
